Macarona Forn

  Prep Time: 20 minutes  Cook Time: 40 minutes  Total Time: 60 minutes

Macarona Forn is a classic Egyptian baked pasta dish featuring layers of pasta, béchamel sauce, and a savory meat sauce, topped with cheese and baked to golden perfection.

Ingredients

500g macaroni pasta

500g ground beef or lamb

1 large onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

400g tomato sauce

2 tbsp tomato paste

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground allspice

Salt and pepper to taste

4 cups whole milk

1/2 cup unsalted butter

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup grated mozzarella cheese

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).

Boil the macaroni pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

In a large skillet, cook the ground meat over medium heat until browned. Add the onion and garlic, and cook until softened.

Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.

In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 2 minutes. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly, until the sauce thickens.

In a large baking dish, layer half of the cooked pasta, followed by the meat sauce, and then the remaining pasta.

Pour the béchamel sauce over the top, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.

Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

You can use ground chicken or turkey as a substitute for beef or lamb.

For a richer béchamel sauce, add a pinch of nutmeg.

Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.